Saint Ravidas Ji

Saint Ravidas was a great Vaishnava saint of North India. He was born at Manduadih near Varanasi. He was born on Magh Purnima day more than 600 years ago. He spent most his time at Kashi . Although he belonged to cobbler caste his spiritual attainment was very high. Along with Kabir Das he was a disciple of Swami Ramanand who propagated the slogan- “Jat Pant Na Puchhe Koi, Hari Ka bhaje So Hari Ka Hoi”. In his life time Saint Ravidas was put to many tests and every time he came out with flying colours. He was a Karmayogi. 

Although he continued his traditional professional work it was perceived that he had direct dialogue with Ram and Krishna. Once Lord Krishna gave him the Paras stone so that he could turn his poverty into affluence, but Saint Ravidas was so detached that he did not make its use and when Lord Krishna came after one year to see his condition, Saint Ravidas returned the Paras stone to him saying that it is not useful to him because affluence would be an obstacle to true devotion. Once he was challenged by obscurantists of Kashi and there was a big Sabha held by the king of Varanasi where it was decided that he would be declared the greatest of Saints who could move the idol of Lord Krishna towards himself.

 In presence of the king of Varanasi the traditionalists recited all hymns and made prayers but the idol did not move at all. When Saint Ravidas started making devotional prayer the idol started moving towards him. Then he was declared the greatest of Saints. His fame reached up to Chittorgah wherefrom Rani Jhali came to Kashi and became his disciple. Later on Meera Bai also became his disciple and she has composed some Bhajans in his praise. Saint Ravidas spent the last span of his life at Chittorgarh on the request of Rani Jhali. Sant Ravidas died at Chittorgarh at a very ripe age around 1527 A.D. A big Chhatari (canopy) was made at the site opposite the famous Kumbh Shyam temple.

         Mahavir Mandir is installing the statue of Saint Ravidas on its campus and a big canopy has been made which will be reaching tonight. After Chittorgah this will be the first important traditional temple in the country to have a big statue of Saint Ravidas with a canopy. Saint Ravidas’s teachings promote social and communal harmony. If the country men follow his teachings there will be no social problem in the country.